Inflation fall foils council tax plans

ONCE again, taxpayers across the News and Mail area will be asked to reach into their pockets and fund the local authority above the rate of inflation — and with government funding for Surrey lower than ever, there is not much chance of the hike being offset by noticeable service improvements.

ONCE again, taxpayers across the News and Mail area will be asked to reach into their pockets and fund the local authority above the rate of inflation — and with government funding for Surrey lower than ever, there is not much chance of the hike being offset by noticeable service improvements.

Last week, the News and Mail reported that attempts by Surrey County and Woking Borough councils to set taxes at the Retail Price Index rate of inflation were foiled when the index fell.

On Wednesday, Surrey Police Authority stuck with its recommended increase of 4.9% and will demand £171.27 of taxpayers in 2007/8. The county council established two weeks ago that its precept would be £1,009.22.

On Thursday, Woking Borough Council will meet to consider whether a proposed Band D council tax figure of £1,371.51 be approved, an increase of 4.6% on last year.

Residents of Byfleet will again pay no money to Byfleet Parish Council, which was mothballed by its current administration following elections in 2003.

Last year, Woking was among the 50 most expensive boroughs in the country and it is likely that this top-end increase will keep it there. The government looks set to grant the borough £926,176 in 2007/8 to carry out its services.

In addition, Woking will receive £5,518,846 in the business equivalent of council tax — but only after the borough has given it to the government and the government has redistributed it back according to its own formula, a formula that penalises the borough.

In Runnymede residents are paying the lowest council tax in Surrey, despite a 4.93% increase on their council tax bill for the coming financial year.

Runnymede Borough Council met on Thursday and agreed the increase. The total bill for a Runnymede taxpayer living in a band D property will be £1,301.67 for 2007/8. All new council tax fees will apply from April 1.

Councillor John Furey, leader of the council, said: “Runnymede residents are still paying the lowest council tax in Surrey and one of the lowest council taxes in the country.

“Government grants for local authorities in the south east continue to be lower than those in the north and Midlands and the grant Runnymede receives from the government has reduced by 30% in real terms in the past 12 years. This means that we have tough decisions to make.

“We plan to make savings of £3.2 million to keep our budget within this financial straightjacket. Our council tax for this year still provides great value for the people of Runnymede as we try to protect our core council services for our residents.”

Surrey Heath Borough Council was deciding its charges as the News and Mail went to press but is likely to be even more expensive than Woking.

Unlike Woking, the parished areas of Surrey Heath offer some slight variations, with parish councils adding on average £30 to the bills of those living outside the main urban areas.

In Chobham, residents with a band D house will pay £1,381.86 if the officers’ recommendation is agreed by members and in Windlesham the figure is £1,382.22.

Bisley taxpayers will be asked for £1,385.96 and most expensive of all will be the charges in West End, which amount to £1,387.45.

In some of the larger homes in Surrey Heath parishes, owners can expect bills of more than £2,750.